Railway-signal.



J. P. COLEMAN.

RAlLWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.5, I912.

Patented May 4, 1915.

6 SHEETS -SHEET I.

FIG.

INVENT OR WITNESSES THE NORRIS PETERS 50.. PHOTG-LITHQ. WASHINGTON D. C.

J. P. COLEMAN.

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION mm was. 19:2.

1 ,138,087. Patented May 4, 1915.

a SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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FIG. 3

WITNESSES avainmzz,

THE. NORRIS PETERS 60.. FHDTO-LITHO, WASHINGTON, D. r

J. P. COLEMAN.

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION mm Aue.5, I912.

Patented May 4, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3 INVENTOR WITNESSES THE NORRIS PETERS CG, FHOTC-LITHO..WASHINGTON D. C.

J. P. COLEMAN.

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.5,1912- Patented May 4, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 4 m E 1% w WITNESSES THE. NORRIS PETERS CO..PHDTO-LITI-IO.v WAFHINGInN r c J. P. COLEMAN.

RAILWAY SIGNAL.

APPLICATION FILED Aue.5. m2.

Patented May 4, 1915.

6 SHEETSSHE T 5 g Q QQQQQ wi try-1p Q Q Q Q a WITNESSES ENVENTOR THENORRIS PETERS CO. PHOTG-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D. C.

.l. P. COLEMAN.

I muLw/w s| APPLICATION FILED I912- 138,087., Patented May 4, 1915.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6- FIGAO.

WITNESSES JOHN P. COLEMAN, OF EDGEWOOD BOROUGH, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORTO THE UNION SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF SWISSVALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A COR-PORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

RAILWAY-SIGNAL.

Application filed August 5, 1912.

To all whom it may] concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN P. COLEMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Edgewood borough, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inRailway-Signals, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to signals of the type comprising a signal devicebiased to one position of indication, a motor for moving it to one ormore other positions of indication, and a holding device for holding itin the one or more positions to which it has been moved.

I will describe one form of railway signal embodying my invention, andwill then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a view showing in sideelevation partly sectioned one form of railway signal embodying myinvention, the semaphore being removed. Fig. 1 is a View showing infront elevation the signal shown in Fig. 1 and including the semaphore.Fig. 2 is a sectional view on the line IIII,of Fig. 3 showing on anenlarged scale the holding device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a Viewshowing in end elevation the form of bolding device shown in Figs. 1 and2. Fig. 4: is a sectional view on the line XX of Fig. 2 looking in thedirection of the arrow 4, and Fig. 5 is a similar view but looking inthe direction of arrow 5. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing one arrangement ofcircuits and apparatus for the control of the signal shown in thepreceding views. Fig. 7 is a sectional view on the line VIIVII of Fig.1, showing the circuit controller in one position, and Fig. 8 is a viewshowing a portion of the circuit controller shown in Fig. 7 but with theparts in another position. .Fig. 9 is a fragmental view on an enlargedscale of a portion of gear wheel 80 and pinion 81 shown in Fig. 1. Fig.10 is a sectional view on the line XX of Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is aperspective view of pinion 81 shown in Figs. 1, 9 and 10.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in each of theseveral views.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 1 89 designates an outside case (only thefront portion .of which is shown in Fig. 1) within which Specificationof Letters Patent.

Patented May 4, 1915.

Serial No. 713,239.

is mounted a gear-inclosing casing 12. The casing 12 is fixed to theoutside case by screws 12. Mounted in the casing 12 is a shaft 10, oneend of which projects outside of the case 89 and carries a suitablesignaling device 90, here shown as being a semaphor'e. Fixed to thecasing 12 is an electric motor 13 adapted to move the semaphore 90 bymeans hereinafter explained. This motor may be of any desired type; ashere shown it is a direct current motor comprising an armature 16 and afield 13. The field 13 is provided with a plurality of radially disposedand inwardly projecting pole-pieces on which is a winding 16.

The semaphore is preferably biased to the horizontal or danger position,and in the particular arrangement of mechanism here shown (see Fig. 6)it is moved by the motor to two other positions, the inclined or cautionposition and the vertical or clear position. It is understood howeverthat the mechanism may be arranged for the semaphore to have any desirednumber of positions of indication, the changes required in the mechanismbeing well understood by those skilled in the art. It is also understoodthat the mechanism may equally well be arranged for the semaphore to bemoved downwardly from the horizontal position to its other positions.

. lt is a holding device for holding the semaphore in the caution andclear posi tions, hereinafter explained in detail.

15 is a circuit controller actuated by the mechanism for the control ofcircuits pertaining to the signal, which circuit con troller will beexplained hereinafter.

Fixed to the outside end of motor field 13 is a motor head 13. A spindle17 is mounted in ball-bearings supported in the two motor heads 13 and13 This spindle is operatively connected with semaphore 90 by means ofsuitable gearing which, as here shown, comprises a segmental gear 84fixed to the shaft 10, a pinion 83 and a gear wheel 82 both fixed on ashaft 65 journaled in casing 12, a pinion 81 and a gear wheel 80 rigidlyconnected and both mounted on ball bearings carried on shaft 10, and apinion 18 fixed to the spindle 17 The gear 80 is fixed to pinion 81 inthe following manner: As shown clearly in Fig. 11, the teeth of thepinion are out part way down adjacent one end leaving only short stubs87. The bore of the hub of gear wheel is provided with one or moreinternally projecting teeth (see Fig. 10) which match with the stubs 87of the pinion. As here shown the number of teeth in the bore of the gearwheel corresponds with the number of teeth on the pinion. The gear wheelis forced over the stubs 87 until the wheel abuts against shoulders 86formed by the unreduced portions of the pinion teeth. The length of thereduced portions of the pinion teeth is slightly greater than the widthof the hub of the gear wheel, and the small portions of the stubs 87which project beyond the gear wheel hub are peened over against the hub,as clearly shown at 87 in Fig. 9, thereby holding the gear wheelsecurely in place against the shoulders 86. By this means it will beclear that each tooth of the pinion 81 serves as a separate key to holdthe gear wheel 80 in place. I therefore avoid the use of keys. I alsoobtain a structure which is the equivalent of a gear and pinion cast inan integral piece, with the advantage that there is'no wasted space onthe pinion near the gear Wheel as would be the case with an integralcasting. Gear wheel 82 is mounted upon a pinion 83 in the same manner asgear wheel 80 is mounted on pinion 81.

In the construction here shown, the armature 16 of motor 13 isoperatively connected with the reduction gearing through the medium of aratchet Wheel and pawl. A sleeve 19 is mounted torotate freely onspindle 17. This sleeve carries the armature 16. 22 is a ratchet wheelkeyed to the spindle 17 (see Figs. 2, 4 and 5). 20 is a shell or drumfixed to the sleeve 19 by means of set screws 21, in which shell arepivoted pawls 28 operatively engaging the teeth of ratchet 22. Thesepawls are mounted on studs 23 fixed in the shell 20, and are retained onthe studs by a spring ring 99 which is located in an annular slot 20 inshell 20. When the motor is to drive the mechanism, the armature 16revolves in a counter-clockwise direction as seen in Fig. 4, so that thepawls 23 will engage the teeth of the ratchet 22 and the armature istherefore operatively connected with the mechanism so that the semaphoreis moved against the action of gravity. When the semaphore is returningto the danger position, it will be clear that the pawls and ratchetteeth are still in engagement, so that the armature 16 is then driven,

- backward. When however the semaphore and gearing are stopped, theratchet device becomes ineflfective and the armature 16 is then free tospin idly until its momentum is spent.

In order to prevent movement of the semaphore beyond its clear orvertical position due to momentum of the moving parts while the motor isdriving the semaphore, I provide in the casing 12 a fixed stop 12 whichengages the segmental gear 84: and thus arrests the movement of theparts if they have not already come to rest when the semaphore reachesthe clear position. This may occur, for example, when the voltageapplied to the motor is higher than normal, or when the semaphore andspectacle are lighter than those for which the mechanism is designed. Onaccount of the reduction gearing between the motor and the semaphore,the motor armature may at times be revolving at considerable speed whenthe parts are brought to rest by the stop 12 and the armature then hasconsiderable m'omentum which, if not properly absorbed, might causeinjury to the mechanism. Inasmuch, however, as the spindle 17 is longand slender, it is capable of considerable torsional deflection betweenthe pinion 18 and the ratchet 22, and this deflectability is sufficientto absorb the momentum of the motor armature and thus protect the mechanism from injury. I s

I will now describe the holding device 14:. 24.- is a drum which isconnected with the mechanism so as to be revolved therewith while thesemaphore is returning toward danger position, but which is disconnectedfrom the mechanism while the semaphore is moving in the other direction.The connecting means between this drum and the mechanism will beexplained hereinafter.

. Projecting from the periphery of the drum 2 1 are one or more blades25.; as here shown three blades are provided. Each blade is preferablyformed of laminations of clock spring steel built up substantially asshown in Figs. 3 and 5, thereby providing blades having great toughnessyet which have great resiliency and are very light. 29 is a shaftsuitably mounted in the inclosing casing. Freely mounted on this shaftis an arm 26 in the other end of which is trunnioned a roller 27 Themovement of the arm is limited by the engagement of a pro jecting leg 55with the bottom of the inclosing casing, and by the engagement of a projection 56' on the arm with a lug 57 in the inclosing casing. Themovement of the arm 26 betweenthese two stops is suflicient to permittheroller 27 to move into and out of the path of the blades 25. Themovements of the arm 26 are controlled by an electromagnet 28 anarmature 58 of which is provided with a. stem 59 extending upwardlythrough the core of the magnet and engaging with the inside face of achambered portion of the arm 26 as shown in Fig. 3. When the armature 58occupies its lower position, the arm 26 rests against the bottom of theinclosing casing and the roller 27 is out of position for engagementwith the blades 25, but when the magnet is energized Cir so that itsarmature is raised, the armv 26 is also raised so that roller 27 is inposition for engagement with the blades 25. It will be seen that whenthe arm 26 is held in the raised position, thereby holding roller 27 inposition for engagement by the blades 25, the semaphore 90 will be heldin whatever position it then occupies. When the semaphore is to be thusheld in its caution or its clear position, the direction in which theblades 25 tend to move will depend upon whether the semaphore isarranged to be moved upwardly or downwardly from its horizontalposition; and, therefore, the blades 25 will in one case engage theroller- 27 on one side of its pivotal point and in the other case theywill engage the roller on the other side of its pivotal point. In thecase herein shown, that is, when the semaphore is arranged to be movedupwardly from its horizontal position, the direction in which the blades25 tend to move when the semaphore is to be held in its caution or clearposition is that indicated by the arrow 91 in Fig. 3, so that then theblades 25 will engage with the right-hand side of roller 27 as viewed inFig. 3. With the parts of the ap paratus proportioned as shown in thedrawing, if the blade 25 remains straight, when in engagement withroller 27 the point of action between the blade 25 and the roller 27,the center of roller 27, and the center of shaft 29 are all in astraight line; then a small upward pressure on stem 59, suffioient onlyto overcome the weight of arm 26 and the stem, will sufiice to hold thesemaphore in the caution or clear position, and when this upwardpressure on the stem is removed, the weight of the arm 26 is ample tocause this arm to fall, because the action between blade 25 and roller27 is substan tially without. friction. In practice, however, the blade25 actually bends slightly when engaging roller 27, so that there isthen a. toggle effect between the point of action of roller 27 and blade25, the center of roller 27, and the center of shaft 29; this toggleeffect tends to force arm 26 down wardly, and this tendency, added tothe action of gravity on arm 26, must be resisted by magnet 28 to holdthe semaphore 1n the caution or clear position. Obviously, if snow orice accumulate on the semaphore 90, the additional weight will cause theblades 25 to bend still more when engaging the roller 27, so that thetoggle effect will be increased, thereby increasing the tendency of theblades 25 to move the roller 27 out of their path and thus overcomingthe additional friction on the roller shaft and on shaft .29 whichresults from the additional pressure on them. v hen the mechanism is soarranged that the semaphore 90 is moved from its horizontal positiondownwardly to its other position or positions, the direction of rotationof the parts is, of course, reversed, so that when the signal is to beheld by the holding device 14 the blades 25 tend to rotate in thedirection opposite to that indicated by the arrow 91 in Fig. 3; theseblades will then engage with the left-hand face of roller 27 as viewedin Fig. 3, and with the parts proportioned as shown in the drawingsthere will be a toggle effect between the point of engagement of theblade and roller, the center of roller 27, and the center of shaft 29,which effect tends to move the arm 26 downwardly. WVith the proportionsof parts shown in the drawing, this toggle effect will exist whether ornot the blades 25 are bent by their pressure against the roller, but itis obvious that, if desired, the parts may be so proportioned that, asshown for the case of the semaphore movable upwardly from thehorizontal, the toggle effect will exist only when the blades 25 bend.Mounted also to oscillate freely on the shaft 29 is a second arm 60, thefree end of which is bifurcated to form two fingers 61 and 62, betweenwhich fingers moves a projecting lug 63 carried by the arm 26. The arm60 carries insulation studs 6 1 on which are mounted a. contact spring30. When arm 26 occupies its lowest position, the spring 30 engagescontact 31, and a contact 3&1. When the arm 26 is raised, the lug 63engages the upper finger 61 and so raises the arm 60, therebydisengaging spring 30 from contacts 31 and 34-, and moving it intoengagement with a contact 32. lVhen the a rm 26 again falls, arm 60 isfree to fall also, again assuming the position indicated in the drawing.If, when the arm 60 is raised, the spring 30 should become fused withthe contact 32, it will be seen that when the magnet 28 is ideenergizedthe arm 26 can fall until lug 63 engages with finger 62; this movementof the arm 26 is sufiicient to move roller 27 out of position for engagement with blades 25, so that the signal is then free to move to dangerposition. It will also be seen that in case of such fusing, the lug 63will strike against the finger 62 when arm 26 falls, and if the fusionof the contacts is not too strong they will be separated by the blow.

As will be pointed out in explaining the operation of the signal as awhole, in the form of signal here shown the electromagnet 28 isenergized sin'iultaneously with the motor 13, hence the drum 2% must beso connected with the mechanism that it will not be rotated when themotor is driving the semaphore, as otherwise the blades 25 would thenengage with the roller 27 and prevent movement of the mechanism. Toacconr plish this I provide a ratchet device between the drum and thespindle 17. This device comprises a drum 93 (see Figs. 2 and 5) in whichare pivoted a plurality of pawls 92 which coact with the ratchet wheel22. These pawls are mounted on studs 92 fixed in drum 93, and areretained in place on the studs by a spring retaining ring 100 located inan annular slot 93 in the drum 93. The drums 93 and 24 are not rigidlyunited, but the drum 24; is mounted between the drum 93 and a plate 9ft,which plate is held tightly against the drum 24 by means of a spring 33.By this construction, under ordinary condi: tions of operation the drums2 1 and 93 are in edect one solid piece owing to the friction" betweenthe two but when subjected to some unusual stress, such as when themovement of the semaphore and gearing toward danger is unrestricted dueto a failure of the buffing device hereinafter explained, a limitedamount of slippage occurs and destructive shocks to the holding deviceare avoided. It will be clear that with the ratchet device justdescribed, when the motor is driving the semaphore the ratchet 22 slipsfreely over the pawls 92, but that when the semaphore is returningtoward danger the ratchet engages these pawls and the blades 25 are thenrevolved.

When the semaphore has been driven by the motor to the clear position,it falls back a slight distance before it is caught by the roller 27 ofthe holding device, and when it is so caught, the momentum of the movingparts developed by the slight backward movement is absorbed in part bythe blade 25 and in part by the defiectable spindle 17, thus relievingthe shock to roller 27 and the parts associated therewith. Also, whenthe semaphore is moving from the clear position toward the dangerposition and is arrested at the caution position, the momentum of themoving parts, which is then considerable, is likewise absorbed in partby the blade 25 and in part by spindle 17.

Referring now particularly to Figs. 1, 7 and 8, T will explain the formof circuit controller 15 which is here shown. The shaft 65, which isincluded in the gearing which connects the motor with the semaphoreshaft, rotates about three times as fast as the semaphore shaft 10, andin the opposite di rection. Suitably coupled with this shaft 65 is acircuit controller shaft 66, here shown as being of squarecross-section. 67, 68 and 69 are three insulation sleeves identical insize and shape each of which is provided with a square hole which fitstightly on the shaft 66. A portion of the periphery of each sleeve istapered as clearly shown in Fig. 1, and the entire circumference of thetapered portion is provided with teeth as indicated in Figs. 7 and 8. Aplurality of these sleeves are mounted on the shaft 66. 70, 71 and 72are three contact segments each in the form of an annular ring theinside face of which is tapered and toothed to fit the beveled portionof the periphery of contact springs such as 39, 39 40, 40

etc., which engage with the contacting faces of the contact segments. Itwill be seen that by means of the matching teeth on the tapered faces ofthe insulation sleeves and of the contact segments, these segments maybe placed upon the sleeves at any desired angle thereby permitting ofany desired angular adjustment of these segments with respect to thecontact springs 39, 40, etc. Each contact spring 39, 39, 40, 40 etc., islocated in a suitable slot 101 in supporting block 7 3 or 7%, and eachspring is provided with a cylindrical metal terminal block 102 locatedin a cylindrical hole 103 in the corresponding supporting block. Eachspring is held securely in its slot by a screw 104: which passes througha slot in the end of the spring, a slot 106 in the supporting block, andinto a threaded hole in the corresponding cylindrical terminal block102. The outside face of each terminal block 102 is drilled and threadedto receive a screw 105 by means of which wires may be secured to theterminal block and thus electrically connected with the contact spring.Each contact spring is clamped between two plates 107 and 108 for thepurpose of stiffening the spring. The holes 103 are staggered inlocation, in order to separate the terminal blocks 102 by the largestpossible amount of n ulating material.

Under some circumstances it is desirable that a contact segment shouldbe disconnected from a contact spring at one point in the movement ofthe segment while the latter is rotating in one direction, and that thesegment should make contact with the same spring at another point in themovement of I the segment while rotating in the other direction. l/Vhenthis is so, a form of apparatus such as that shown in Figs. 7 and 8, andwiich I will now explain, may be employed.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, I have here shown segment 72 in frontelevation. A ring 76 is located within the peripheral flange of thesegment, and is mounted to oscillate on a stud 75 fixed in the radialweb of the segment. Fixed to the ring 76'at a point substantiallyopposite the pivotal stud 75 is a block 77 of electro-conductivematerial, which block is of such height that its outside face projectsslightly beyond the pe ripheral contacting face of the segments. Thering 76 and block 77 arenormally biased to such position that block 77en gages the end of the peripheral flange of the segment, this being theposition of the parts shown in Fig. 7; as here shown, this bias iseffected by means of a circular spring 78 one end of which is secured toa block 79 mounted on the web of the segment and the other end of whichpresses against the ring 76 as shown in the drawing.

The operation of the apparatus shown in Figs. 7 and 8 is as follows:Then the shaft 66 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrows inFigs. 7 and 8, the segment 72 slides on contact spring 39 until thelatter engages block 77 as the shaft continues to rotate, spring 39drags the block 77 away from the end of the segment; the block thenslides on the spring 39 and the block 77 is dragged still farther awayfrom the segment until ring 76 reaches the corner of block 79. Then uponfurther movement of the shaft 66 the block 77 is drawn away from spring39 and is snapped back to its normal position against the end of thesegment. W hen the shaft 66 is then rotated in the direction opposite tothat indicated by the arrows, the block 77 merely makes contact withspring 39 in the same manner as though the block were an integralportion of the segment, and the block 77 and segment 72 then makesliding contact with the spring 39 in the usual manner. It will be seen,therefore, that when the shaft 66 is rotated in the direction indicatedby the ar row, the block 77 breaks contact with spring 39 at one pointin the movement of the shaft, and that when the shaft rotates in theother direction, the block 77 makes contact with spring 39 at anotherpoint in the movement of the shaft, the latter point being removedseveral degrees from the former point in the direction indicated by thearrow. The purpose of this construction will appear hereinafter in theexplanation of the operation of the signal as a whole.

Referring now to the circuit diagram shown in Fig. 6 I will explain theoperation of the signal as a whole.

S is a signal governing traflic through a block section A, and S is asignal governing traffic through a neXt succeeding block section B.

The electromagnet 28 as here shown comprises twowindings, one of highresistance and another of low resistance. The low resistance winding isemployed to obtain a high saturation of the magnet so that the armature58 will be raised with considerable force, and is then included inseries with the high resistance winding to help retain the arm 26 in theelevated position.

71 and 72 are contact segments included in the circuit controller 15 ofthe signal S, and is a contact segment in the circuit controller 15 ofthe next succeeding signal S The contacts 37, 38, 39, 40 and 41 coactingwith these segments are opened and closed at the positions of thesemaphores above the horizontal indicated in degrees in the drawing.

42 is a track relay connected with the rails of block section A, and 43is a line relay controlled by the position of semaphore S in the usualmanner.

W is a car or train in block section A, moving in the directionindicated by the arrow. Signal S is at danger owing to the presence ofthis car or train, and signal S is at clear. When the train 1V passesout of block A into block B, signal S will go to danger, thereby openingline relay 43; and trackrelay 42 will close. Current then flows frombattery 44 through armature contact 45, wires 46 and 47, contacts 39,Wire 48, low resistance winding of magnet 28, wire 49, contact 34 andfinger 30, Wire 50, motor 13, wire 51 to battery 44. This current isinsuiiicient to operate motor 13 owing to the resistance of the lowresistance magnet winding, but it energizes magnet 28 and raises arm 26thereby opening contact 34 30. Current then flows as before to the lowresistance winding, then through the high resistance winding, wires 52and 51, to battery 44, thereby holding arm 26 in the raised position.Current also then flows from battery 44 through contact 45, wires 46 and53, contacts 37, wire 54, contact 32, finger 30, wire 50, motor 13, wire51 to battery 44; this current operates the motor to move semaphore S.Then the semaphore reaches the 45 position or caution position, themotor operating circuit is opened at contacts 37; the holding circuitthrough the low and high resistance windings of magnet 28 remains closedat contacts 39 so the semaphore S is held at caution position. lVhen thetrain l/V passes out of block B, signal B moves to caution position andin so doing when it reaches the 37 position it closes contacts 41,thereby energizing relay 43. Current then flows from battery 44 througharmature contacts 96 and 97, wire 98, contacts 38 (which had closed whensignal S reached the 42 position), wire 54, contact 32, finger 30, wire50, motor 13, wire 51, to battery 44. This current operates the motor tomove semaphore S to clear or 99 position; when the latter position isreached the motor operating circuit last traced is opened at contacts38. The holding circuit through the magnet 28 was opened at contacts 39at 53, but was closed at contacts 40 at 51, so this holding circuit isclosed at all times while the signal is moving from caution to clear,and remains closed to hold the signal at clear or 90.

Nhen a following train enters block A, it opens track relay 42, whichopens the holding circuit of magnet 28 thereby allowing arm 26 to fall,and the semaphore S then begins to fallback toward danger. The loweringof arm 26' however closes a short-circuit around the motor as follows,from motor 13 through wire 50, finger 30, contact 31, resistance 95,wire 52 to motor. The motor therefore acts as a generator and retardsthe movement of the semaphore, thereby avoiding a severe blow when thedanger position is reached. Similarly, if line relay 43 should be openeddue to a train backing into block B or for any other cause, relay 42remaining closed, the motor would retard the movement of the semaphoreand avoid a severe blow to the holding device whenthe caution positionis reached.

Assume now that while block sections A and B are unoccupied, a trainbacks into block section B or enters that block section from a switch.Signals would then fall to danger, opening relay 43. This would open theholding circuit of magnet 28, and

signal S would fall toward danger until it reaches 46 at which pointcontact 39 closes thereby closing the holding circuit through magnet 28and holding the signal at substantially 45 or caution position. It. willbe seen that during this movement toward caution position contacts 40opened at 48 and contacts 39 did not close until the 46 position isreached, hence contacts 39 and 40 are not closed at the same time, aswas the case while the signal was moving toward clear position. Thisaction is due to contact block 77. If the contacts 39 and 40 werepermitted to be closed at the same time during the last-describedmovement of the signal from clear to caution, then as soon as thecontacts 39 close thereby closing the holding circuit and energizingmagnet 28 as hereinbefore explained, a motor operating circuit wouldalso be closed from battery 44 through armature contact 45, wires 46 and47, contacts 39, wire 88, contacts 40, wire 98, contacts 38, wire 54,contact 32, finger 30, wire 50, motor 13, wire 51 to battery 44. Currentin this circuit would cause the motor to operate to raise the signalthrough a few degrees until the circuit were again opened at contacts39. This closing and opening of the circuits would be repeated,

' causing the signal to oscillate back and forth through an angle of afew degrees. This action is however avoided by means of the movablecontact block 77. The variation be tween the opening and closing ofcontacts 40 is due to the lost motion in the coupling between shafts and66.

I do not, in the present application, make any claim for that portion ofthe circuit controller 15 comprising the shaft 66, the sleeves 67, 68etc. mounted thereon, and the contact segments 70, 71, etc. mounted onthe sleeves and angularly adjustable thereon, this being thesubject-matter of my co-pend- September 5,1913, Serial No. 788,300.

I do not, in the present application, make any claim for the method ofmountings pinion on the teeth of a gear, as shown in Figs. 9, 10 and 11,this being the subjectmatter 01": my co-pending application filed May23, 1913, Serial No. 769,403, which latter case is a division of thepresent application.

Although I- have herein shown and described only one form of railwaysignal embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes andmodifications may be made therein within the scope of the appendedclaims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination, a signal device biased toward one position, arotatable member operatively connected with said device when the lattermoves or tends to move in response to its bias, a deflectable bladecarried by said member, an arm mounted to oscillate, a roller journaledin said arm and movable into and out of the path of said blade by theoscillation of the arm; the point of contact between the blade and theroller when the blade is not deflected being substantially in thestraight line between the center of the roller and the center ofoscillation of the arm, whereby when the blade is deflected by thetorque exerted by the signal device the said point of contact is not insaid straight line, and a force is then exerted on the arm tending tomove it out of position for engagement of the roller and the blade, thearm being biased to the latter position, and means for resisting saidforce and said bias of the arm.

2. In combination, a signal device biased toward one position, arotatable member operatively connected with said device when the lattermoves or tends to move in response to its bias, a deflectable bladecarried by said member, an arm mounted to oscillate, a roller journaledin said arm and movable into and out of the path of said blade by theoscillation of the arm; the point of contact between the roller and theblade, when the latter is deflected by the torque exerted by the signaldevice, being slightly out of the straight line between the center ofthe roller and the center of oscilexerted on the roller tending to moveit out of the path of the blade; and means for resisting said force.

8. In combination, a signal device biased toward one position, arotatable member operatively connected with said device when the lattermoves or tends to move in response to its bias, a deflectable bladecarried by said member, an arm mounted to oscillate and having ablade-engaging element, the oscillation of said arm being such that theelement moves into and out of the path of the blade; the direction ofaction between the said element and the blade, when the latter isdeflected by the torque exerted on the member by the signal device,being at an angle to the line between the center of oscillation of thearm and the point of contact between the blade and the said element,which angle varies according to the torque exerted by the signal device;whereby a force is exerted on the arm tending to move it out of the pathof the roller, which force varies according to the said angle; and meansfor resisting said force.

t. A railway signal comprising a signal device biased to one position ofindication, means for moving it to another position; and a holdingdevice for holding the signal device in the latter position andcomprising a member rotated by the signal device when the latter returnstoward the position to which it is biased, a blade mounted on saidmember and projecting therefrom in a substantially radial plane, an armmounted to oscillate, a roller j ournaled in said arm and movable intoand out of the path of the blade by the oscillation of the arm, the linethrough the center of the roller and the center of oscillation of thearm being substantially ninety degrees from the line through the centerof the roller and the center of the rotatable member when the roller isin the path of the blade, said blade being deflectable from the radialplane when engaged by the roller.

5. In a railway signal, a signal device biased toward one position ofindication, means for moving it to another position; and a holdingdevice for holding it in the latter position comprising a rotatablemem-,

ber, means interposed between the member and the signal device forrotating the memher only when the signal device is returning toward itsbiased position, a projection carried by the member, a second memberadapted to engage with the projection, and means for the control of thesecond member.

6. In a railway signal, a signal device biased toward one position ofindication, means for moving it to another position; and a holdingdevice for holding it in the latter position comprising a rotatablemember, a ratchet interposed between the member and the signal device topermit the member to remain stationary while the signal device is movingaway from its biased position and to cause the member to rotate whilethe signal device is returning toward its biased position, a projectioncarried by the member, a second member adapted to move into and out ofposition for engagement with the projection, and means for the controlof the second member.

. 7. In a railway signal, a signal device biased to one position ofindication, an electric motor for moving it to another position ofindication; a holding device for holding it in the latter positioncomprising a member operatively connected with the signal device torotate therewith only when the latter is returning toward its biasedposition, a projection carried by said member, a second member, anelectromagnet for moving the second member into position for engagementwith the projection or for permitting it to move out of such positionaccording to whether or not the magnet is energized, and means forenergizing the magnet when the signal is being moved by the motor andwhen the signal is to be held by the holding device.

8. In a railway signal, a signal device biased to one position ofindication, an electric motor for moving it to another position ofindication; a holding device for holding it in the latter positioncomprising a member operatively connected with the signal device torotate therewith only when the latter is returning toward its biasedposition, a projection carried by said member, a second member adaptedto move into and out of position for engagement with said projection andbiased to position out of such engagement, an electromagnet for movingthe second member into position for engagement with the projection orfor permitting it to move out of such position according to whether ornot the magnet is energized, and means for energizing the magnet whenthe signal is being moved by the motor and when the signal is to be heldby the holding device, a motor operating circuit and a motor brakingcircuit, and contacts operated by the second member for closing thebraking circuit when the member is out of engaging position and forclosing the operat ing circuit when the member is in engaging position.

9. A railway signal comprising a signal device biased to one position ofindication, a motor for moving it to another position; a holding devicecomprising a member operatively connected with the signal device whenthe latter is moving or tends to move to ward its biased position only,a second member adapted to coact with the first member to hold thesignal and movable into and out of position for, said coaction, meansfor holding said second member in coacting position while the signaldevice is being moved by the motor and when the signal device is to beheld; a motor operating circuit and a motor braking circuit, andcontacts operatively connected with the second member for closing themotor operating circuit when said member is in coacting position and forclosing the braking circuit when the member is out of coacting position.

10. A railway signal comprising a signal device biased to one positionof indication, a motor for moving it to another position; a holdingdevice comprising a member operatively connected with the signal devicewhen the latter is moving or tends to move toward its biased positiononly, a second member adapted to coact with the first member to hold thesignal and movable into andout of position for said coaction, means forholding said second member in coacting position while the signal deviceis being moved by the motor and when the signal device is to be held; abraking circuit for the motor, and a contact operatively connected withthe second member for controlling said circuit,

said contact being closed when said second member is out of coactingposition.

11. In combination, a signal device biased to one position ofindication; an electric motor; means intermediate the motor and thesignal device for moving the latter to another position, said meanscomprising two members one of which is movable With the motor armatureand the other of which is movable with the signal device; a pawl andratchet connection between the two said members; a holding device forthe member movable with the signal device, and a pawl and ratchet devicebetween the holding de vice and the last-mentioned member.

' 12. In combination, a signal device biased to one position ofindication; a spindle, a

- pinion connected with said spindle adjacent one end thereof, gearingconstantly connecting said pinion with the signal device, an electricmotor the rotating member of which is mounted to rotate upon the saidspindle, and a pawl and ratchet device connecting the said rotatingmember with the said spindle adjacent the other end of the latter, saidspindle being capable of suiiicient torsional deflection to protect themechanism from injury due to shock when the signal device is brought toa sudden stop While be ing driven by the motor.

13. In combination, a signal device biased to one position ofindication; a spindle, gearing constantly connecting the spindle withthe signal device, an electric motor the rotating member of which ismounted upon the said spindle, a pawl and ratchet connection between thesaid rotating member and the said spindle; a holding device, and a pawland ratchet connection between the holding device and the said spindle.

1 1. In combination, a signal device biased to one position ofindication; a rotatable member constantly connected therewith, anelectric motor, a holding device,a pawl and ratchet connection betweenthe motor armature and the said rotatable member, and a pawl and ratchetconnection between the holding device and the said rotatable member.

15. In combination, a signal device biased toone position of indication,an electric motor, a holding device, a pawl and ratchet connectionbetween the signal device and the motor, and a pawl and ratchetconnection between the signal device and the holding device, the twosaid connections being operative in reverse directions.

16. In combination, a signal device biased to one position ofindication, a motor, a holding device, means interposed between thesignal device and the motor for operatively connecting the two formovement in one direction only, and means interposed between the signaldevice and the holding device for operatively connecting the two formovement in the other direction only.

17 In combination, asignal device biased to .one position of indication,a motor operatively connected therewith for moving it to anotherposition, a holding device, and means interposed between the signaldevice and the-holding device for operatively connecting the two whenthe signal device is moving toward its biased position only.

18. In combination, a signal device biased to one position ofindication, a motor operatively connected therewith for moving it toanother position, a holding device, and a pawl and ratchet connectionbetween the signal device and the holding device for operativelyconnecting the two when the signal device is moving toward its biasedposition only.

19. A railway signal comprising a signal device, a spindle, a pinionconnected with said spindle adjacent one end thereof, gearing constantlyconnecting the pinion with the signal device, a sleeve on the spindleadapted to rotate thereon,a motor the rotatable member of which is fixedon the sleeve, and a pawl and ratchet device connecting the sleeve andthe spindle adjacent the other end of the latter,said spindle beingcapable of considerable torsional deflection whereby it is adapted toabsorb shock when the signal device is brought to a suddenstop whilebeing driven by the motor.

20. In combination, a signal device, a

spindle capable of considerable torsional de tlection, a pinionconnected with said spindle, gearlng' constantly connecting said pinionwith the signal device, a motor the rotabeing connected with the spindleat a distance from the pinion suflicient to permit enough torsionaldeflection of the spindle between the two points to aiiord protection tothe mechanism against injury from shock.

21. In combination, a signal device biased to one position ofindication, a spindle, a pinion connected with said spindle adjacent oneend thereof, gearing constantly connecting said pinion with the signaldevice, an electric motor the rotatable member of which is mounted torotate on the spindle, means for connecting said rotatable member withthe spindle, a holding device, and means for connecting said holdingdevice with the spindle adjacent the other end of the latter, saidspindle being capable of considerable torsional deflection whereby it isadapted to absorb shock when the signalis stopped by the holding device.

22. In combination, a signal device biased in one direction, a motor formoving it in opposition to the biasing force, and a spindle interposedin the connection between the motor and the signal device and capable ofsufl'icient torsional deflection to protect the mechanism against injuryfrom shock.

23. In combination, a signal device biased in one direction, a motor formoving it in opposition to the biasing force, a holding device, meansfor connecting said holding device with the signal device to hold thelatter against the action of the biasing force, and a spindle interposedin said connecting means and capable of sufficient torsional deflectionto protect the mechanism against injury from shock when the signal isstopped by the holding device.

24. In combination, a signal device biased in one direction, a spindlecapable of considerable torsional deflection, gearing constantlyconnecting said spindle with said signal device, an electric motor formoving said signal device in opposition to its biasing force, therotatable member of said motor being mounted to rotate on saidspindle,'and a directional clutch for connecting the rotatable memberwith the spindle at such a distance on the latter from the point of connection with the gearing as to permit enough torsional deflection of thespindle to protect the mechanism from injury due to shocks.

, 25. In combination, a signal device biased in one direction, a spindlecapable of considerable torsional deflection, speed-reducing gearingconnecting said spindle with said signal device, an electric motorconnected with said spindle for moving the signal de vice in oppositionto its biasing force, and a stop for limiting the movement of the signaldevice in the latter direction, said motor and said gearing beingconnected with said spindle at such distance apart as to permit enoughtorsional deflection of the spindle to absorb the momentum of the motorand thus protect the mechanism from injury due to shock when themovement of the parts is suddenly arrested by said stop.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN P. COLEMAN.

Witnesses:

J. 0. Moon, J OHN JANovsKY.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of ratents, Washington, D. G,

